Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stock Watch: Which Players Are Rising and Falling?

After a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, there are a few players that rose up and a few that slid down in the stock watch for Week 3.  There were was one big surprise on the rising side of things, while a big disappointment on the falling side.

Players that have their stock rising

Doug Martin

The rookie running back is having a great year so far, taking the job as the workhorse of the offense. Coach Greg Schiano made it clear the Buccaneers would run the ball more and they are sticking to it.

Martin carried the ball 19 times for 53 yards on Sunday, while also catching two passes for 21 yards.  Despite the Cowboys loading up to stop the run and the Buccaneers' coaching staff deciding not to adjust, Martin ran hard and got the yards he could.

On the season, Martin has carried the ball 63 times for 214 yards and a touchdown.  With LaGarrette Blount’s playing time still undetermined and just D.J. Ware on the active roster, Martin will continue to get the carries and the big numbers.

LaVonte David

The rookie linebacker out of Nebraska worked his way into the starting depth chart and continues to shine.  David, often making the defensive calls and shifts in the middle of the defense, is playing like a veteran already.

He is a bit undersized, but uses his speed and intelligence to fly to the ball carrier and make plays. David totaled five tackles in the loss to Dallas, raising his total to 19 tackles on the season and three tackles for loss.

Gerald McCoy

After missing most of 2012 with a torn bicep muscle and under the constant criticism of a “bust” pick, McCoy is putting together a strong start to the 2012 season.  McCoy has been a constant force on the defensive line, getting pressure and stopping the run, setting a new tone for the defense.

McCoy has totaled eight tackles on the season and three sacks, including two against the Cowboys. The 2010 third-overall pick is putting it all together and, so far, the results have been tremendous.
 

Players that see their stock falling

Vincent Jackson

The biggest free-agency acquisition in the offseason has not put up the numbers that were expected, at least early on.  Against the Cowboys, Jackson recorded just one reception for 29 yards, despite being targeted several times by Josh Freeman.

So far this season, Jackson has 10 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown, not the numbers everyone was expecting when he arrived from San Diego with a big reputation.

Jackson is still learning the offense and quarterback Josh Freeman has been bad, so it is highly unlikely that Jackson will continue to have pedestrian numbers, but with just one grab yesterday, it wasn’t a big statement game for him.

Josh Freeman

The fourth-year quarterback came into the season in the best shape of his life and appeared to be set for a huge season, but early on, the results are not what anyone expected.

Against Dallas, Freeman completed just 10 of 28 pass attempts for 110 yards, averaging just 3.9 yards per attempt and threw a dismal 35% completion percentage in the game.  He threw one interception and was sacked twice as well.

So far this season, Freeman has completed 41 of 80 attempts for 491 yards, averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt and throwing 51% (has four touchdowns and three interceptions).  For the face of the franchise, Freeman has not delivered yet and continues to struggle early this season.

Myron Lewis

The former third-round pick missed the first two games of the season, but was activated for the Dallas game and had one big penalty that hurt the Buccaneers.

After a punt return, Lewis got tangled up with Dallas defender Lequan Lewis.  Myron Lewis threw a punch at Lequan Lewis, drawing the penalty that took the Buccaneers from the 18-yard line to the 9-yard line.  For a struggling offense, every inch counted in this game and a boneheaded play like that just further added to the frustration of the day.

Myron Lewis, who has struggled to get on the field consistently the last three years, made the team coming out of training camp but could soon find himself packing up after Coach Schiano laid into him during Sunday’s game.